Our
previous experience
with Turkish Airlines on the route
Prague
- Istanbul - Prague, in September 2007, was
excellent; we therefore
decided to benchmark, in August 2010, the quality of one of the longest
routes operated by TK: Istanbul - Hong Kong.

Just like in September,
we left from Prague. Same perfect impression from check-in to arrival,
as described in our short-haul
in-flight
test; with one bonus: that time we received a “fast track”
for express
security control in Ruzyne. No need to stand in queue for this slow,
boring
procedure which always spoils our pleasure of flying. This was our
first
excellent surprise.

After a short transfer
via the Istanbul
Atatürk transit area, we reached the «CIP Lounge»,
where TK offers a lavish treatment to its business and VIP clients. The
company feels proud of what we actually consider like one of the best,
most impressive C/F Class lounges in the world. We got there a display
of what TK offers to executive flyers. The ground attendants
are
helpful, smiling and actually charming. The lounge is among the most
beautifully
designed we have experienced. It is very spacious and has a
glamorous
decoration, mixing large and deep leather sofas with gilded chairs (we
should write thrones!) which made us feel like pashas. Many lounges
come
stressing, oppressive at peak hours; we experienced it between 7 till
10pm,
when the traffic goes intense in Atatürk. Thanks to its cleverly
designed
1470 m2, there was still plenty of room to accommodate oneself at ease.
The buffet was regularly refilled with fine quality snacks, club
sandwiches,
sweets for kids, and a wide choice of soft and alcoholic beverages.
Excellent
espresso coffee. Large selection of daily newspapers and magazines
(most
of them in English; they should also consider other major languages
like
Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic and Mandarin). There is a huge,
extremely
comfortable Internet corner (WiFi is complimentary also: using you own
laptop is easy, with a prompt signal shake-hand and electric plugs
close
to every armchairs and sofas). There is a prayers room. Long-haul
flyers
will like the presence of clean, well designed showers and a dark
relaxing
room with vibrating stretched armchairs which did us a world of good,
driving
us into a fast sleep. The washrooms are simply palatial: with precious
marble and antique taps! All the marvels of the Orient are concentrated
in this «CIP Lounge», which is well worth five star, as it
actually reflects the atmosphere of a palace hotel!

After some quick
purchase in what appears to be the cheapest, and one of the largest, duty
free shopping mall in Europe (Cuban cigars and French
perfumes are
30 till 50% cheaper than in Paris CDG!), we reached the gate after a
long,
cautious security check (no fast track for C Class passengers; most of
them were clever enough to leave the CIP Lounge at the very last
moment,
not to stand in queue during 30 minutes; which we will do next time!).TK70 took off right
on time: at exactly 23:50 (IST time). Much at ease, after a
glass
of chilled Champagne Gosset Grande Reserve Brut and a refreshing towel
, we could inspect more closely our Airbus A340-500 C Class cabin once
we had reached our cruising speed. We sat in row 3, and could observe
one
of the flight attendant opening bottles of Champagne behind the front
bar,
decorated with natural flowers, and featuring crystal glasses, bottles
of wine and other treats available to passengers throughout the flight.
Two other attendants were navigating from one passenger to another,
distributing
“L'OCCITANE” smart and practical toilet kits, and inquiring about any
personal
request. We have been impressed by the service aboard:
anticipating,
indeed! We never called the attendant; we got everything we needed
without
requesting it. Of course, the permanent activity of the crew doesn't
allow
much communication with the passenger, and might give quite a cold
impression;
when flying TK with a B737, for instance, we found the staff much
warmer
and talkative; but the A340 C Class cabin shows an average 50-75%
occupancy,
and priority goes to efficiency and satisfaction of all the passengers.

The
cabin is divided
in 4 rows of 2 x seats. We didn't feel like in C, but F Class: there is
much space and privacy, the already mentioned bar is not common in C
Class,
and the brand new flat-beds make all the difference. Quite similar to
the
“SpaceBed” we experienced aboard Singapore Airlines (and for a much
higher
ticket price...), the TK A340-500 ergonomic, fine wool and leather
seat,
is top comfortable in all positions. Actually relaxing in its full
recline
(135 degrees), once the lumbar supports have been adjusted to our back
(this is either automatic or, if you prefer, manual via the electronic
control located on the armrest). We were said by some travelers -and
read
it also in Internet airlines-related forums- that a slight angle
doesn't
allow a full flat-bed position. This is correct that our backrest was
elevated
by something like 30 degrees; while our footrest was standing perfectly
horizontal. In our case, this allowed a superb position for sleeping
during
the 12 hours of the flight and, most important, for avoiding any jet
lag.
Business travelers can make sure that they will arrive in great shape
in
Hong Kong: being able to join meetings on the spot without feeling
tired
at all. 54 inches separate each seat from another. Seat
features
a personal, laptop-size multi-channel TV which seemed to be under-used
by business passengers who actually preferred to sleep... maybe
listening
to one of the music channels.

We
don't look TV
aboard aircraft... but we DO eat. And we must say that TK is
wonderful
for gourmets: yes, airlines food can be tasty when catered by the Turkish
DO & CO (see the menu here).
Our starer was a plate of “Mezze”: Smoked Salmon with Crème Fraiche,
Stuffed Eggplant and Garden Fresh Seasonal Salad. This was a refreshing
fare, made out of prime quality ingredients. We were presented with
freshly
backed bread. Our selected wines came together with each course; no
delay
at all. This is worth a mention: so many airlines make you wait so long
(up to five minutes) before sending beverage to the impatient
passenger.
Our “Chablis 2006, Michel Laroche” matched our appetizer: this high
quality
Chardonnay, produced from Burgundy, was lively, flinty and very pure
fruit
with good length, apples & cream. As a main course, we chose
the «Grilled
Bosphorus Sea Bass», with Mediterranean vegetables, and buttered
rosemary potatoes; this delicacy made us feel like seating in some
Ortakoy
or Bebek seafood terrace. We ordered a glass of «Raki», dry,
on the rocks, to complete our illusion. We tried the Selection of
Cheese,
just for the pleasure of ordering a glass of « Saint Emilion
2006, Grand Cru Classé, Château Laroque ». A top-class
Bordeaux. Nose was nice, not so strong. Very smooth and round taste,
with
an interesting aftertaste. The DO & CO speciality is
the «Double
Chocolate Cake»: smooth mousse, rich fragrance of cacao... we didn't
dare asking a second portion... So good! Café was OK; not impressive,
but not bad. Maybe little bit too blend after the rich impression
produced
by the chocolate cake. We finished with a glass of «Grand
Marnier»:
all airlines should offer this French liquor. Not only because it is
delicious;
but also because it always made us feel asleep within a few minutes. We
made nice dreams... and didn't even notice the light turbulences
forecasted
by the captain.

The
attendants asked
us if we wished to be woken up for our "a la carte" breakfast at about
11:30am, Hong Kong time. It allowed us a 8 hours sleep. So we said yes.
It was good to have “Scrambled Eggs with Turkey Ham, Cheese Toast and
Grilled
Potatoes”, yogurt, cheese and fresh fruits, before soft landing at Hong
Kong Airport, which we reached right on time, at 15:40, local
time.

Should we pick a
small hole in our very positive review? Maybe TK should consider a
separate
shuttle bus for its executive class passengers. Leaving the supreme
comfort
of the C Class cabin, and dropping into the overcrowded airport bus,
parked
on a superheated tarmac until the last passenger joins, is tiresome: we
would have been so happy to be pampered five minutes more after such a
dreamed flight!

Turkish Airlines
has recently seen its global Quality Rating upgraded to the prestigious
ranking as a 4 Star Quality Certified Airline by the prestigious and
totally
independent Skytrax
reviewers. It is now a member of the Star
Alliance.